The development of mycelial cords of two Hypholoma fasciculare isolates in two soil types and their ability to colonize the wood debris burried in these soils were studied. In this study it was shown that H. fasciculare could grow and colonize wood debris similarly irrespective of soil type and fungus genet.

Investigations were conducted in the upper tract of the Kosa River valley and Lake Czaple (Zachodniopomorskie province). A total of 200 vascular plant species belonging to 69 families were recorded. Forty seven of the reported species are legally protected or are found on the lists of threatened and vanishing species (e.g. Achillea ptarmica, Asplenium trichomanes, Epipactis helleborine, Polypodium vulgare). The dominant role in the tree layer is played by Alnus glutinosa, Quercus robur and Fraxinus excelsior. In the shrub layer abundant specimens of Frangula alnus, Corylus avellana, Sambucus nigra and Viburnum opulus are found, along with self-sown F. excelsior, Acer pseudoplatanus and Picea abies. In the herbaceous layer the most commonly found species include Calamagrostis canescens and taxa from genus Carex. Reported species most frequently represent communities from the following classes: Alnetea glutinosae, Querco-Fageta, Quercetea robori-petraeae, Vaccinio-Piceetea, as well as Phragmitetea. It was found that the biggest number of species prefer positions with moderate light and semi-shaded positions on fresh and moist, organic and mineral soils.

The aim of the study was to determine the motor response of large pin weevil beetles to the smell of methanol extracts prepared from leaves of plants belonging to 23 selected species. Responses were analysed under laboratory conditions using olfactometers. Large pine weevil beetles were shown to respond to the aroma of two extracts. Methanol extracts of Mentha piperita L. and Trifolium repens L. leaves statistically significantly attracted large pine weevils.

The aim of the study was to investigate the dependency between size reduction rate of thin pine stem fragments and population size of young Pityogenes bidentatus beetles, which developed on this material. Experimental plots were established in seven Pinus sylvestris stands. Thin stem tops were left on the ground after thinning. Some of them were cut into sections of 20, 50 and 100 cm. Results of the investigations showed that in case of thinning interventions in the spring-summer season more specimens of Pityogenes bidentatus are likely to develop on stems cut into short sections than it is the case when stems were left uncut.

The aim of the study was to determine the dependency between the age of stand and species abundance of insects inhabiting parts of felled trees, such as stems and branches with diameters smaller than 7 cm. Investigations were conducted in central-western Poland, in pine stands aged 6-60 years. It was shown that the age of felled trees has an effect on the species composition and the number of insect species developing on thinning residue. The lowest number of insect species was found on brush wood left in stands aged up to 10 years, while the biggest number of insect species was recorded in stands aged 20-40 years. Moreover, species composition of entomophagous insects found in feeding grounds of certain secondary invaders was also determined.

This study showed the influence of different food dyes on the growth of Phlebiopsis gigantea isolate in vitro. All used food dyes, blue, green, red and purple did not inhibit growth of mycelium. The only difference in myceliail size was proved, when the diameter of culture growing on medium with green dye was compared with control.

The planned “Bieliszowskie Łęgi” reserve along the Odra River is to cover the area of about 240 ha. The main objective of its establishment is the protection of the riparian forest sites as well as the river valley itself. The total of 63 species of arborescent plants was inventoried which derive from 19 families. Indigenous taxons (51) were found dominant with various plant species of fertile broad-leaved forests represented most abundantly. Since forests in the region are commercially managed, the majority of trees growing in the area are characterized by medium breast height diameters with only a small proportion of large diameters. The most valuable trees include: 3 legally protected species as well as 25 trees with monumental diameters and 27 trees with breast height diameters close to monumental and 62 trees with splendid diameters. 18 trees were selected to be placed under protection as nature monuments. The area of the planned reserve has been changed by human activity (river regulation, forest and meadow management) and placing the area of “Bieliszowskie Łęgi” under protection would allow gradual restoration of the natural character of these riparian forests.

Fourteen birch stands at the age of 55-60 years, in the Dretyń, Miastko and Niedźwiady forest divisions, were investigated as well as diversity of environmental conditions of their occurrence with reference to the requirement of conversion into beech, beech-oak or oak forests. It was stated that variation of natural conditions of the analysed birch stands includes three forest site types (deciduous mesic forest, deciduous mixed mesic forest and coniferous mixed mesic forest), five soil types and subtypes (podzolic soils, rusty soils, brown rusty soils, brown lessive soils, pseudogley lessive soils), five different surface geological formations (outwash sands, fluvioglacial sands of crack formations, moraine sands, moraine clays, tertiary clays), four site moisture content levels (sites with a very poor inflow of ground water, sites with a very poor inflow of precipitation water, sites with a small inflow of ground water, sites with a small inflow of precipitation water), six current vegetation communities (birch communities with no distinct phytosociological classification, communities from the group of acidophilous communities representing Trifolio Geranietea sanguinei and Rubetum idaei class, a community related to Calamagrostio arundaceaea-Quercetum petraeae, community related to Fago-Quercetum petraeae, a community related to Galio odorati-Fagetum) and four communities of potential vegetation (Galio odorati-Fagetum, Fago-Quercetum, Calamagrostio arundinaceae- -Quercetum petraeae, Potentillo albae-Quercetum).

From the area of West Pomerania, there are no reports referring to mycological studies connected with tree stands dominated by fir or spruce infested by dangerous root pathogens. The purpose of this introduction was to verify whether fir stands beyond the borders of their natural reach are threatened by Heterobasidion sp. and Armillaria sp. Studies were carried out on three research areas in the survey units: 244 b and 225 kx of the Forest District Oszusznica. From the sampled wood, 10 isolates of Armillaria sp. and 21 isolates of Heterobasidion sp. were obtained. The analysis of results obtained during the presented studies permits to state definitely that the tree stands in 244 b and 244 kx subcompartments show a good state of health). An interesting scientific report is the statement of occurrence, on the area covered by the presented studies, of the species Heterobasidion annosum of S type which has not been reported so far from West Pomerania.

The chain-saw is one of tools commonly used for professional work in the forest and home yards. While working the tool is a source of considerable noise. Experiments on vibration and noise damping abilities of mineral and vegetable oils were carried out at the PIMR – Industrial Institute for Agricultural Machinery in Poznań. The experiments were conducted on a specially constructed measuring stand. The chain saw was running along the bar, while no wood was being cut. Noise was measured with a Bruel & Kjaer meter at a height of the longer symmetry axis of the bar, when the bar plane was vertical and the symmetry axis was horizontal. Measurement results showed that noise levels observed were high and varied with oils used, ranging from 99.6 dB(A) for one of the vegetable oils to 105.2 dB(A) for a mineral oil.